20th – 23rd October 2014 – Strasbourg

The parliament will hold two hearings with Commissioners-designate Bulc and Sefcovic. Bulc was nominated by Slovenia to replace failed candidate Bratusek whilst Sefcovic was promoted to Bratusek’s old portfolio as commission vice-president for energy union, with Bulc taking his former transport portfolio. ECR coordinator in the transport committee Roberts Zile will lead the assessment of Commissioner-designate Bulc, whilst Marek Grobarczyk and Julie Girling will lead the assessment on Commissioner-designate Sefcovic.
Following these hearings President-elect Juncker will present the whole commission to MEPs who will vote on the entire college of commissioners as a single block.
The ECR Group will determine its final position on the commission on Tuesday evening at its regular group meeting.

At the end of the week EU heads of state and government will meet in Brussels to debate the EU’s 2030 climate and energy package. Before they meet MEPs will discuss the priorities for this summit, with ECR Group leader Syed Kamall speaking in the debate.
Syed Kamall will also be available at the council building in Brussels on Thursday afternoon.

Press officer to contact: James Holtum on +32 473 861762

EP debate on the European Council: Tuesday @ 15.00
European Council meeting: Thursday and Friday

EU Budget 2015

MEPs will debate and vote on the EU budget for 2015. MEPs in the parliament’s budgets committee put forward amendments that would increase the budget above the commission’s initial proposal, and the position adopted by national governments. ECR budgets coordinator Bernd Kölmel is opposed to requests to move beyond the budget adopted by EU governments as he wants to see a budget that is slimmer but better targeted at areas where the budget adds value such as research.

Press officer to contact: Tobias Teucher on +32 475 864064

Vote: Wednesday @ 13.00

ISIL

The commission will make a statement on the situation in Kobane and the threat of ISIL. ECR foreign affairs spokesman Charles Tannock supports the wide-ranging coalition against ISIL, and wants to see their operations continue and be extended.
The parliament will also debate the EU’s response to the danger of European fighters in IS returning to Europe. ECR home affairs spokesman Timothy Kirkhope has long argued that more needs to be done to tackle foreign fighters who are European nationals at the EU level and he believes that an EU-Passenger Name Records system is essential. A proposal for an EU-PNR system – led through the parliament by Mr Kirkhope – was rejected by MEPs 18 months ago.

Press officer to contact: John Furbisher on +32 498 984760

Debate on Kobane and foreign fighters: Wednesday @ 15.00 (the debates will follow on from each other)

Sakharov Prize

The leaders of parliament’s political groups will meet to decide the winner of the 2014 Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought. The shortlist is the Ukrainian EuroMaidan movement; Denis Mukwege, a Congolese gynaecologist; and Leyla Yunus, an Azerbaijani human rights activist.
Of the shortlisted nominees, the ECR has decided to support the Euromaidan movement.

Contact: James Holtum on +32 473 861762

Decision: Tuesday

Contact

For enquiries relating to the ECR Group, the Group Chairman or a national delegation not listed below: